A Guardian at the Stables

I walked into the empty classroom

There's only me and you, arms folded at the desk

Everyone agrees, I need to leave this school

And stay not one more day than is needed

The pit, the yard and nothing more

There's only this and that with which you have a choice

Unless you dream up something else by teatime

Tell your mam and dad to take you to the colliery head

A horse, a horse for king and queen

I'll ride as light as air

High and light as air

Without a care

I've seen them coming up for breath

Eating blackened sandwiches and sooty tea

I'd rather sign my life away

To a guardian at the stables who I hope will treat me fair

A horse, a horse for king and queen

I'll ride as light as air

High and light as air

Without a care

I'll ride away from tunnels and the darkness

My father always warned me not to end up there

If you don't stick in, you'll stick it out for good

With fifty years or worse of crawling, coughing, dirty shirts

A horse a horse for king and queen

I'll ride as light as air

High and light as air

Without a care